The aim of this study is to present a diagnosis of film production in Mexico City while attempting to fill the gaps in the knowledge of the endogenous development of this subsector. This article presents the results of research work designed to understand the patterns of labor, industrial, geographic and institutional organization. This examination is based on the geographic industrialization theory proposed by the School of California. Data was obtained through surveys sent to production companies in Mexico City. Due to their determinant importance, we also took into account the links between the production, distribution and exhibition of films. We considered that both approaches, geographic industrialization and political economy of culture (or in other words, the study of endogenous characteristics as well as the exogenous ties of the subsector), would allow us to generate a broader understanding of this Mexican cultural industry. As part of the study we observed the flexible production organization of the film industrial district, its lack of profitability and its dependence on State subsidies. We also noted incipient but significant levels of transactions between production companies and service providers compared with the weak relationships between the labor market and the industry labor unions and between private firms and government institutions (except for State's funds).

1997 marked an especially bleak year for the film industry in Mexico, with only nine feature films produced. Just a decade and a half later, the industry shows signs of rejuvenation on both the domestic and international fronts; the Mexican Cinematographic Institute reports 112 films produced or...

The article examines the motion picture industry in Mexico. Increased production of motion pictures in that country which are aimed at both domestic audiences and Hispanic Americans in the U.S., many of which are collaborations between Mexican and U.S. companies, is considered, with a joint...

Presents remarks by exhibitors and visitors to the 1997 Expo Nacional Ferretera in Mexico concerning the country's economic recovery from the currency collapse in 1994. Claim that companies which gave up on Mexico had misjudged the country's ability to rebound; Missed opportunities for the...